Learning to walk in barefoot shoes

If you are new to wearing VIVOBAREFOOT shoes we’d recommend walking before you run and transitioning gradually. It might feel unusual at first, but it’ll be worth it in the long run.

Shoes that make sense

Like any training programme, it takes time to adjust to barefoot movement. You may have sore calves and feet to begin with but this is just the feeling of waking muscles up that may not have had a proper workout in years. In time you should get stronger feet, increased ankle mobility, improved posture and better balance and a new found sense of connection with the ground. The “workout” begins the first time you walk in our shoes.

Start Slowly

Therefore we’d recommend starting slowly; being barefoot (where it’s safe to be) where possible and wearing VIVOBAREFOOT shoes for short periods for walking. Your brain will start to adapt quickly and you body will also begin to change too. We’d recommend regularly doing toe exercises little and often (whilst brushing your teeth is ideal) and when walking think about good posture and correct walking pattern. We have lots more information on Toe-Ga and walking.

Born to Run?

The best-selling book, Born to Run, by Christopher McDougall, paints a romantic picture of taking off your shoes and running with the Tarahumara people. In reality there’s a bit more to it than that.

It’s true humans have evolved to move. Moving regularly and uninhibited is key to human health and fitness. However in western cultures we tend to do two things: we sit down and we wear shoes. A lifetime spent in a seated posture and in narrow, rigid, and/or cushioned shoes is likely to have a detrimental impact on your body and your ability to move skilfully, without injury.

No silver bullet

They are flat, wide and flexible to allow your muscles and tendons and bones to work harmoniously. The ultra-thin, puncture-resistant soles allow the brain to have a good idea of what’s happening under foot – that’s it.

Our shoes are not a silver bullet; they simply allow the feet to move as if barefoot – it’s down to you, patience and embracing a new kind movement.

Featured

Share

Related Articles

Reconnect with nature in 2019 (whether you’re a complete beginner or an elite athlete). In these dark days of reflection, pies and booze – take a moment to think about new athletic adventures in 2019. For Vivobarefoot the ultimate self-locomotion...

Written by Galahad Clark The part in your brain that information from your feet is the same size as the part that gets information from your hands. And Normal shoes get in the way of our health: humans are born...

In 2018 Ross Edgley became the first person to swim around Great Britain. Swimming a whopping 1200 miles in a 157 days – the longest ever by any human. During his time at sea Ross has been completely non-weight bearing....

Once upon a time I dreamt of running totally free, without pain or limits. I was very ill and I’d had to quit running. Before then I’d been a pretty dedicated athlete, and sometimes I still miss the sound...